As Spring returns and Summer approaches faster than you can say patent peep-toe pumps, it’s no surprise that women are on the prowl for the latest cuts, patterns, and styles. Luckily, we’ve found the answer to your prayers. If you’re looking for a fashion fix in the heart of DTLA, it’s time we introduce you [...]

I’m a glutton for gastro-punishment. I’ve waited three hours for sushi in Japan, spent 12 hours in an airport to try street food in China. Risked Montezuma’s Revenge for authentic Mexican fish tacos, Bussed half a day through Chile to try a vegan hostel’s restaurant, spent three days off roading in Mongolia for a smoked [...]

One cannot deny the intoxicating feel of the buzzing file, the chemicals that you know you shouldn’t inhale but you love the way they smell, and the rainbow of colors shelved on the wall. Yes ladies, I am talking our favorite guilty pleasure, nails. It’s one of those luxuries that your man will never understand, [...]

I am giddy like a schoolgirl about the changes coming to the Fig@7th shopping plaza located in the financial district. Once limited to a small array of shops and eateries such as Sprinkles Cupcakes, City Target and Sports Chalet. Spring is bringing several new retail stores and restaurants set to open in the upcoming [...]

L.A. gets a starring role in movies every year one way or another. Sometimes it’s as a bad place to live, a ghetto of industry, or sometimes it’s truly magical. It’s a place to hide in Drive, or a place to be down on your luck in Down and Out In Beverly Hills. Sometimes it’s [...]

Drive down almost street in Los Angeles– there’s another Boba Café. This Tapioca Ball phenomenon has become a staple in Southern California particularly, once originating in Taiwan now there are thousands to choose from. This being said, what could make a Boba so good, so amazing that you’d return on several occasions? Introducing the Boba [...]

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As Spring returns and Summer approaches faster than you can say patent peep-toe pumps, it’s no surprise that women are on the prowl for the latest cuts, patterns, and styles. Luckily, we’ve found the answer to your prayers.

If you’re looking for a fashion fix in the heart of DTLA, it’s time we introduce you to the chic selection of garments and accessories at Pale Violet. With a sweet mix of modern cuts and high concept pieces, it’s the mecca for any savvy shopper. One step into the Spring street boutique, and it’s bound to satisfy your cravings.

A glance through the racks and it’s clear Julia Blake, owner of Pale Violet, offers everything a modern woman could dream of in a wardrobe. Sheer cut-outs with contrasting fabric detail, slingback heels, a dash of graphic leopard print, and a girl is truly ready for the season The moderate to high-end price point and global brand selection allows customers to indulge in unique and luxurious pieces without breaking the bank. At the end of the day, it’s all about “the opportunity to find an item that they will fall in love with,” says Blake.

What’s life in the city without a pair of fierce Miista lucite heeled ankle boots and classic LBD anyways? No need to worry, Pale Violet has got the goods to keep you chic.

I’m a glutton for gastro-punishment. I’ve waited three hours for sushi in Japan, spent 12 hours in an airport to try street food in China. Risked Montezuma’s Revenge for authentic Mexican fish tacos, Bussed half a day through Chile to try a vegan hostel’s restaurant, spent three days off roading in Mongolia for a smoked fish lunch. So you can believe I’m going to wait in line for half an hour in Downtown LA for some sausages.

But as any unemployed person in LA can tell you, why wait for over an hour on a busy day when you can wait a few days and walk right in on a slow day. It’s midday thursday, after the lunch rush, I walk in straight past the empty sidewalk. When inside I’m still greeted by a line but only a half dozen deep. Even this pitiful excuse for a line takes 15 minutes to get to the front to order. After I order I sit in the back and wait. It takes almost twenty minutes for me to get my order. I’d hate to sit here for two hours total one day. At the end of the meal, I’m out 15 dollars and an hour total of my day. Is it worth the wait? It’s worth the wait if you can get some work done, check some emails, have a conference call or two, network with some other hip locals while you wait in line. Just make sure to bring your smartphone and charge it before getting into the area. It’s not the most “alright” sausage in town. It’s not the most “okay” sausage in town. It’s the best damn sausage in town even thought I balked at the rabbit and side-stepped past the rattlesnake. I went straight for the regular Bockwurst but didn’t regret it at all. Some sauces are an extra charge but at the tables they have a massive amount of Mustards free of charge. Take your free side of sauce and concoct a mustard mixup while you wait for the sausage to arrive.
Just make sure you have some activities or a good conversational partner before working your way into DTLA for some sausage at Wurstkuche.

One cannot deny the intoxicating feel of the buzzing file, the chemicals that you know you shouldn’t inhale but you love the way they smell, and the rainbow of colors shelved on the wall. Yes ladies, I am talking our favorite guilty pleasure, nails. It’s one of those luxuries that your man will never understand, you know you have nail polish at home, but it’s just not the same. The Nail Parlor (located right across from Coles Sandwiches on 6th) is only a year old, and has become my favorite downtown spot for a mani/pedi.

Have you ever gotten your nails done and felt uncomfortable the entire time? as if the nail technician hated your guts and was not afraid to show it? I have. This salon doesn’t make you feel like that. The owner Alison runs the front desk and once you go there a couple times she will remember you and greet you by your name. Customer service is clearly their priority, something that most salons lack, and on my fifth consecutive visit they have delivered absolute quality and perfection at a great price. A regular Mani/Pedi is priced at $35, but beyond price, the real reason I keep coming back is the atmosphere.

Alison, the owner of The Nail Parlor

The employees at The Nail Parlor actually enjoy the art of nails and nail art and are really good at it. Laughter can be heard from both staff and customers and the decor is chic and modern. My favorite techs are Lyna and Kenny. They happen to be married but coincidentally are a stellar complimentary pair when it comes to a beautiful Mani. While Kenny does a perfect acrylic set – Lyna is truly gifted in detailed nail designs and they work together symphonicaly

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If you want something as traditional as red or as abstract as eyeballs with spikes coming out of them – The Nail Parlor will make it happen and with a smile.

I am giddy like a schoolgirl about the changes coming to the Fig@7th shopping plaza located in the financial district. Once limited to a small array of shops and eateries such as Sprinkles Cupcakes, City Target and Sports Chalet. Spring is bringing several new retail stores and restaurants set to open in the upcoming months.

I am most excited about the opening of H&M, a trend right fast fashion clothing store for the budget conscious. This location is going to be huge at almost twice the size of an average store, making the downtown H&M one of the biggest in the country. H&M will have women,men and children’s apparel as well as a hefty accessories section. Similar in trendiness, but slightly more upscale fashion- spanish store Zara will be opening. Zara carries trendy clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

This $40 million fig@7th makeover will also include sister stores Victoria’s Secret and Pink stocking lingerie and apparel. A handful of cosmetic and beauty stores will be opening including L’OCCITANE, Bath and body works, and high end makeup store MAC (ladies, prepare yourselves)

Foodies will be having some new dining options including culver city’s original microbrewery City Tavern (they serve CHEESE POOFS with highly addictive properties) and mexican restaurant Loteria Grill. Japanese noodle restaurant Gentaro Soba where the noodles are handmade on site.

In case you hadn’t already known, Fig@7th has on-site food trucks Monday thru Wednesday from 11-2. Every Thursday is farmers market from 11-3According to the malls website we should stay tuned for additional openings. I always knew this center had potential, but now it is finally StArting to feel like a thriving outdoor mall. If you don’t live downtown, there is an attached multilevel parking garage with discounted rates with validation and if you’re looking for a job, these new places are all currently hiring.

L.A. gets a starring role in movies every year one way or another. Sometimes it’s as a bad place to live, a ghetto of industry, or sometimes it’s truly magical. It’s a place to hide in Drive, or a place to be down on your luck in Down and Out In Beverly Hills. Sometimes it’s just a place to have a cup of coffee.

Showing up as a foil for Patton Oswalt’s comedic chatter, Downtown LA’s Arts District gets a stab or two for being quite industrial, for being the type of place that looks like nobody lives. But it takes a turn when out of seemingly nowhere a coffee shop opens and offers more elitism than Intellegentsia, more LA coffee snobbery than even New Girl could shake a stick at.

Handsome Coffee is not in a pretty part of town, but it’s in a part of town that desperately needs something other than Urth Caffe which oozes LA vibes from a block away. Handsome Coffee is a place with two things on the menu and one thing on the tongue: Coffee. Coffee is king, hot water mixing with ground up roasted beans. There’s no other place that will cringe when you ask for sugar, or be as hospitable if you want to jive on about java.

A food truck sits on the corner hoping you’ll walk up and order a pun named box of food. The dogs are curbed and everyone is living in a loft somewhere within a five block radius of concrete, stone and brick. The place is more than a grayish blue painted coffee outpost in this industrial waste of space. It’s a beacon, a haven. Before you know it, there’ll be chocolate factories, and Italian eateries. The markets will turn into Trader Joe’s and from these streets will blossom a livable neighborhood.

Never mind that people have been living here for years. Never mind that a community already exists of architects, students, entrepreneurs who made their own coffee in their own pots in the their own plush surroundings, but they were hidden at one time. They sat on their couches looking out of their store front sized windows at the beauty of the brick factory across the street. From their loft atop an old steel wire factory. Handsome Coffee doesn’t harken a new day, but rather calls for the magnifying glass on this already amazing part of town. Look a little harder and you’ll find it’s already discovered.

Drive down almost street in Los Angeles– there’s another Boba Café. This Tapioca Ball phenomenon has become a staple in Southern California particularly, once originating in Taiwan now there are thousands to choose from. This being said, what could make a Boba so good, so amazing that you’d return on several occasions? Introducing the Boba cocktail… now in DTLA.

Boba 7 is located in the back of Thai Restaurant Soi 7 located next to Bottega Louie. There is not much signage and they have that speakeasy feel. Their wide array of unique drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. include the Green Tea Heineken (beer+green tea+honey Boba – a surprisingly perfect combo) the Barack Bobama and the Bobagasm

Boba 7's own mixologist

as well as blended smoothies, milk teas and flavored teas. The owner Elton Keung is a USC graduate and self-proclaimed Boba Purveyor. He actually frequents Taiwan and brings home ingredients for the café. More importantly, he knows magic and is not shy to perform some tricks. Their décor is unique with Anime posters, comic book heroes, Pokemon references and original art created by customers. They’ve also created a mini-fashion line with the phrase “Good things are hard to find.” This is a business not afraid to keep itself a little behind the scenes, they understand that word spreads and what they have is a unique and creative business that is sure to thrive.

The drinks are reasonably priced and if you use social media – an Instagram photo will get you a free size upgrade (which is totally worth it because a small is not quite enough.) They cook their own boba balls to the perfect sweet tender consistency and you can choose your own sweetness level or build your own boba drink. The staff here, who all seem to be amazingly friendly mentioned to me that they are soon opening up other locations in the LA area, but the downtown location is a must to come check out. It’s the perfect type of place to go on a date or even sit alone and finish that book you’ve been reading.